Painless breath analyzer to detect blood glucose level

Glucose monitoring technology has made significant development within the past decade. Glucose monitors are important for diabetic patients to check the level of glucose at regular intervals. The glucose monitors available in market work on the principal of putting a drop of blood on a strip and

then the blood is analyzed for sugar level. This process involves pricking your finger to donate blood to the analytical strip.

Guess what, a company named PositiveID announced development of a non-invasive glucometer that can detect sugar levels from your breath. Yes, you heard it right, it is a breath analyzer. PositiveID is a Delray Beach, Florida based company, which was formed in 2009. In a recent press release Positive ID CEO, Scott R. Silverman said that:

“We are very pleased that the development and design of our non-invasive Easy Check Breath Glucose Detection Device has occurred ahead of schedule. We believe the accelerated completion of the initial design phase will potentially allow us to begin testing the handheld device during 2010.”

uses single capsule or cartridge that contains proprietary reagent. This reagent reacts with the breath and can measure or calculate blood glucose level based on the chemical reaction

can eliminate need to prick the finger to determine blood glucose level

is compact and portable, measuring approximately 5.5 inches by 4.5 inches

is battery operated, easy to use design includes an advanced laser optical sensor, a state-of-the-art microprocessor and the Company’s patent pending chemical sensors.

Concept of the device
It is known from clinical practice and medical research that the presence of particular levels of...

acetone in the exhaled air most often points to diabetes mellitus. Moreover, clinical laboratory studies show that there is a quantitative correlation between glucose content in blood and acetone concentration in the exhaled air. The Easy Check breath glucose test measures the levels of acetone in a patient’s exhaled breath.

Medgadget was skeptical about this device, but acknowledged that if successful it can tale over the blood prick market for diabetics. According to a November 2009 study by researchers at the University of Chicago, published in the journal Diabetes Care, the number of diabetics in the U.S., which currently stands at 23.7 million, may almost double within 25 years, and the annual cost of treating them may triple to $336 billion.

Jury is out there, how well the device will work. One thing is for sure, there is big market for glucose monitors for diabetic patients that companies can tap into. Whichever company can eliminate the pain of pricking the finger could sweep the market, if product is affordable to the consumer.